You may have heard the term AKIS recently and wondered exactly what it means. AKIS is an acronym for Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System. So, what does this mean in practice?

The official definition is that AKIS is the combined organisation and knowledge flows between persons, organisations, and institutions who use and produce knowledge for agriculture and interrelated fields. Traditionally agricultural extension and knowledge flows often operated in a linear, research-to-farmer fashion. AKIS is more encompassing than this traditional linear knowledge exchange and knowledge transfer process. It emphasises a multi-actor approach that integrates various agricultural stakeholders, including farmers, foresters, advisors, private consultants, state agencies, industry companies and academics, into a collaborative network, each with an important responsibility for ensuring knowledge is shared, transferred and adopted, for the sectors' benefit.

The formalisation of AKIS under the current CAP signifies a move toward a more intelligent, evidence-based agricultural sector. In Ireland, the structured cooperation between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the AKIS Coordination Body, and CAP Network Ireland ensures that the national knowledge system is robustly governed. By focusing on improving the flow of knowledge between AKIS actors, Ireland is positioning its agricultural sector to meet the dual challenges of economic viability and environmental stewardship.

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